Bowling pin delivery mechanism with single elevating device for a plurality of bowling alleys

ABSTRACT

Bowling pin handling apparatus in which fallen bowling pins are transferred from the pits at the ends of a pair of adjacent alleys to a single elevating device from which they are selectively distributed by a pair of distributors to a pair of pin spotting mechanisms, one for each of the alleys. Selective distribution is effected by an electrically operable gate between the elevating device and the distributors for directing the pins to one or the other of the distributors, and the gate is controlled by switches indicating the passage of the pins from the elevating device to the distributors and by switches in storage bins of the spotting mechanisms for indicating the pin content of the storage bins.

[ Apr. 30, 1974 Primary Examiner--Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or F irm-George W. Price; Walter Lewis [57] ABSTRACT Bowling pin handling apparatus in which fallen bowling pins are transferred from the pits at the ends of a pair of adjacent alleys to a single elevating device from which they are selectively distributed by a pair of distributors to a pair of pin spotting mechanisms, one for each of the alleys. Selective distribution is effected by an electrically operable gate between the elevating device and the distributors for directing the pins to one or the other of the distributors, and the gate is controlled by switches indicating the passage of the pins from the elevating device to the distributors and by switches in storage bins of the spotting mechanisms for indicating the pin content of the storage bins.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Stamford, Conn.

AMF Incorporated, White Plains, NY.

A63d 5/00 273/43 R, 43 A, 43 D, 43 E WITH SINGLE ELEVATING DEVICE FOR A PLURALITY OF BOWLING ALLEYS Henry C. Congelli Assignee:

Feb. 20, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 333,622

273/43 R, 273/43 D, 273/43 E References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1961 3/1957 Strauss et United States Patent Congelli BOWLING PIN DELIVERY NIECHANISM [75] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

[58] Field of Search.....

BOWLING PIN DELIVERY MECHANISM WITH SINGLE ELEVATING DEVICE FOR A PLURALITY OF BOWLING ALLEYS This invention relates-to bowling pin spotting machines, and more particularly, to improvements in apparatus for returning bowling pins from pits at the ends of a plurality of bowling alleys to a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms.

In the game of bowling, it is always important that bowling pins be removed from the pit of the bowling alley after each frame has been completed and returned to a pin spotting mechanism, which will spot them on the pin deck of a bowling alley for continued play of the game. That is, after each first or second ball, it is desirable that pins be removed from the pit of an alley in a minimum of time and delivered to an elevated position where they are distributed into storage means for subsequent delivery to pin spotter units which will place them in usual playing arrangement on the bowling alley.

It is conventional in the art to provide a complete pin spotting machine for each bowling alley which elevates only the bowling pins in the alley with which it is associated and distributes such pins to the pin spotting mechanism for the same alley, which mechanism usually comprises pin storage apparatus which feeds pin spotting units. However, since the alleys are closely spaced and the elevating device is relatively large, it is difficult to service the machine, particularly the elevating device. In addition, the elevating device usually can feed the bowling pins to the pin spotting mechanism faster than they are needed for pin spotting purposes, i.e., in the game of ten pins, the storage apparatus must be filled only at the end of the time taken for two rolls of a ball or between the less frequent occurrence of a strike and the spotting of the pins for the next roll of a ball in the next frame of the game, whereas the elevat ing device is in continuous operation and can rapidly supply the bowling pins to the storage apparatus after the roll of a ball and during the roll of the next ball. Also, it frequently happens that only a small number of pins must'be supplied to the storage apparatus after a roll of the ball.

The present invention takes advantage of the fact that the elevating device usually can supply bowling pins to the storage apparatus faster than they are required by the pin spotting units and employs a single elevating device for a plurality of alleys, usually two, to supply a plurality of distributors, one for each alley, which feed the bowling pins from the elevating device to the storage portion of the pin spotting mechanisms for such alleys. As a result, the number of elevating devices is less than the number of alleys, thereby facilitating servicing of the equipment and possibly reducing the cost of the pin spotting machine installation. As distinguished from installations having a complete pin spotting machine for each alley where pins in the pit of an alley are returned only to the pin spotting mechanism of the same alley, the apparatus of the invention must accept pins from the pits of a plurality of alleys and supply them to a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms, and such should be accomplished without significantly delaying the bowling games conducted on the plurality of alleys.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a single, conventional elevator wheel is located intermediate a pair of bowling alleys, at the pit ends thereof, and the pits are equipped with driven conveyor belts which feed the bowling pins in both pits to the lower part of such wheel. At the higher level of the elevator wheel, where the bowling pins are discharged, gate and pin delivering means are provided which direct the bowling pins as they are discharged to a pair of known distributing mechanisms, one of such distributing mechanisms conveying pins received from the gate and delivering means to a slightly modified, conventional pin spotting mechanism located in the conventionalmanner above the pit end portion of one of the alleys, and the other such distributing mechanisms conveying pins from the gate and delivering means to a slightly modified, conventionalv pin spotting mechanism located in the conventional manner above the pit end portion of the other of the alleys. The gate is controlled, and hence, the bowling pins are fed, so that the storage apparatus or storage bins of each of the pin spotting mechanisms is filled as quickly as possible so as to avoid delay of the bowling game. Thus, when the storage bins of a storage apparatus are emptied, the gate may direct all bowling pins to the first one emptied .until it is filled, and then, direct the succeeding bowling pins to the storage apparatus which was second to be emptied. Alternatively, if two of the storage apparatus are empty, or are missing pins, at the same period of time, the gate may be controlled so as to direct bowling pins alternately to each storage apparatus. Whenever a storage apparatus is filled, all succeeding pins are directed to the other storage apparatus if it is missing pins,,and if not, the discharge of pins from the elevator wheel is stopped and the pins are stored in the wheel until a'stor'age apparatus is again emptied. Normally, the number of pins employed in the two alleys will be at least equal to the total of the number of pins which can be stored in the storage apparatus of both alleys plus the number of pins which can be stored in the elevator wheel.

One object of the invention is to reduce the number of elevator'devices required in a bowling alley installation comprising a plurality of adjacent alleys.

' Another object of the invention is to reduce the number of elevator devices required in such a bowling alley installation without significantly delaying the bowling games being conducted in adjacent alleys as compared to prior art installations.

Further objects of the invention are to reduce the cost of a multiple alley bowling installation and to increase the ease with which the pin spotting mechanisms associated therewith may be serviced.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of presently preferred embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; v

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevation view, partly in cross-section, of a storage bin forming part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; I

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, end elevation view, partly in cross-section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a detached contact, electrical circuit diagram of an electrical control circuit for the bowling pin distributing gate.

Although the invention may be used with bowling pin handling apparatus of other types, the invention will be described as used in connection with bowling pin handling apparatus of the type described in US. Pat. No. 3,248,109.

The apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a pair of pin spotting mechanisms I and II of the type described in said patent, the mechanism I storing bowling pins and spotting them on a pin deck III of a first alley, and the mechanism II storing bowling pins and spotting them on a pin deck IV of a second alley adjacent to the first alley. A pair of distributing mechanisms V and VI transfer bowling pins from hoppers 11 and 12 to bowling pin receiving pockets, compartments or bins 13 and 14, which have been numbered 1-.10 to correspond to conventional bowling pin numbering, as described in said' patent. The distributing mechanisms V and VI comprise booms 15 and 16, each pivoted on a pivot pin, such as pin 17 (FIG. 2), and driven as described in said patent by motors 19 and 20. Endless belts 21 and 22, driven by the motors 34 and 35, move the bowling pins from the hopper lengthwise of the booms 15 and 16 from which the pins drop into the bins 13 and 14. From the bins 13 and 14, the bowling pins are delivered to spotting cups 23 (FIG. 4), and then spotted on the pin decks III and IV as described in said patent. V

The apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings also includes a single elevating device VII for the two alleys, which is constructed and which operates and functions as described in said patent. Fallen bowling pins are received on continuously operating, endless belt conveyors VIII and IX from which they are swept rearwardly of the alleys by the arms 24 and 25 of sweep mechanisms as described in said patent. Bowling balls are returned to the bowlers as described in said patent. In accordance with the present invention, the fallen pins are received on a pair of oppositely moving, endless belt conveyors 26 and 27, continuously driven by any suitable means, which move the pins to a position 28 (FIG. 3) intermediate the alleys where they are picked up by the elevating device VII and raised to a second position 29 where they are delivered to a pan 30.

In accordance with the present invention, the pins received in the pan 30 are delivered to one or the other of the hoppers 11 and 12 by a pair of continuously moving, endless belt conveyors 31 and 32 depending upon the position of a gate 33 which is movable from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 to the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, by an electrically energizable solenoid SOL. In the position of the gate 33 shown in solid lines in FIG. 1., the pins are directed by the gate 33 to the conveyor 31 and hence, to the hopper 11 whereas in the other position, the pins are directed to the conveyor 32 and the hopper 12.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that fallen bowling pins from the two alleys are conveyed to the single elevating device VII which delivers them to the pan 30 from which they are delivered to either the hopper 11 or the hopper 12, dependent upon the position of the gate 33. After reaching the hopper 11 or the hopper 12, the pins are distributed to the storage bins 13 or 14 by the distributor mechanisms V or VI as described in said patent.

The gate 33 may be biased, such as by a spring 36 (FIG. 6), to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 1, and moved to the dashed line position thereof by energization of the solenoid SOL or vice versa. Alternatively, other means may be used to operate the gate 33, such as a polarity sensitive solenoid, which moves the gate 33 to the desired position dependent upon the polarity of the voltage applied thereto. Control means in the form of switches DL and DR are located at the bottom of the pan 30 and are operable by the bowling pins as they pass thereover for controlling the energization of the solenoid SOL as described hereinafter.

Of course, if one of the sets of storage bins 13 or 14 is filled, the subsequent pins should be delivered to the other set of storage bins. Prior to such time, the pins may be delivered alternatively to bins 13 and 14 using a circuit controlled by the switches DL and DR to alternately energize and de-energize the solenoid SOL.

As described in said US. Pat. No. 3,248,l09, there may be ten bowling pins spotted on each pin deck, III or IV, and ten bowling pins stored in each of the storage bins, 13 or 14, or all twenty pins may be stored in the storage bins of each pin spotting mechanisms, I or II. However, the tenth or twentieth pin may be deposited in either bin No. 8 or bin No. 9. Accordingly, to indicate when the storage bins have received ten or twenty pins, the No. 8 or No. 9 bins of storage bins 13 are each provided with two switches S10Ll and S20L1 and two switches S10L2 and S20L2, respectively, which are operable by contact of a bowling pin therewith. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when bin No. 9 of bins 13 has a bowling pin P9a therein, the head thereof operates the switch S10L2 and when it also has a second pin P9b therein, the base of pin P9b operates the switch S20L2. Bowling pins in bin No. 8 of the bins 13 and in bins No. 8 and No. 9 of the bins l4 similarly operate the associated switches. Accordingly, if both of the switches SIOLI- and S10L2 are operated, such operation indicates that there are at least 10 pins in the storage bins 13, and if such switches, as well as both of the switches S20Ll and S20L2 are operated, then, the bins 13 contain at least twenty pins. Similar indications for the bins 14 are provided by operation of the switches S10Rl and S10R2 and the switches S20R1 and S20R2. Thus, the switches S10L1 and S10L2 and the switches S10R1 and S10R2 may be used to control the energization of the solenoid SOL so that pins in the pan 30 will be directed to the other storage bins whenever one of the sets of bins has ten bowling pins, and the switches S20L1 and S20L2 and the switches S20R1 and S20R2 may be similarly used whenever the one set of bins has twenty bowling pins therein.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the

. gate 33 is operated by the solenoid SOL so that the 3. Whenever both sets of bins have pins stored therein, then subsequent pins will be delivered alternately to the two sets of bins.

4. Whenever one set of bins has 20 pins stored therein, the remaining pins discharged from the elevating device are delivered to the other set of bins.

FIG. 6 is a detached control circuit diagram of one circuit which will provide delivery of the bowling pins as listed hereinbefore, and the portion of the circuit to the left of the dashed'line in FIG. 6 provides alternate delivery of the bowling pins to the storage bins 13 and 14. The portion of the circuit to the right of the dashed line provides the other functions listed hereinbefore.

The contacts are shown in their non-operated conditions.

Considering first the portion of the circuit which supplies pins alternately to the two distributors, i.e., the

' DR being actuated when the pin is directed to the distributing mechanism Vl. Relay R2 is a slow release relay which is energized by the closing of the contacts of the switches S20Ll and S20L2 but which is unaffected by the other contacts because of the rectifier REC, the polarity of which is such as to accomplish this, but is such as to permit the closing of contacts of the switches S20L1 and S20L2 to energize the relay R1 if the contacts R3a are closed.

Assuming that the bins of both pin spotting mechanisms require pins, i.e., the switches S20Ll or S20L2, or both, are open, the switches S20R l or S20R2, or both, are closed, and the contacts R3a are closed for the reasons described hereinafter, the relay R1 and the solenoid SOL will be de-energized causing the next pin received by the pan 30 to be directed to the distributing mechanism V. As such pin closes the switch DL, the relay R1 will be energized through DL, S20Rl or S20R2 and R3a which energizes the solenoid SOL and moves the deflecting arm A to its alternate position in which a subsequent pin will be directed to the distributing mechanism VI. The relay R1 will lock up through Rla, DR and R2a.

The next pin will be directed to the distributing mechanism VI, and will actuate the switch DR which releases the relay R1 and de-energizes the solenoid SOL so that the next or third pin will be directed to the distributing mechanism V. Such operation continues with each pin being directed alternately to the distributing mechanisms V and VI.

When the storage bins 14 of the pin spotting mechanisms II have received 20 pins, the switches 820R] and S20R2 will be opened preventing energization of the relay R1 and thereby causing all subsequent pins to be to be directed to the distributing mechanism VI. The closing of the switches S20L1 and S20L2 will also energize the relay R2 and open its contacts R2a so that the relay R1 cannot lock up until after the relay R2 releases, the latter being a slow release relay.

If the pin spotting mechanism 1 cycles first to spot pins in the pin deck III, the switches S20L1 and S20L2 will open causing subsequent pins to be fed to the distributing mechanism V until the switches S20Rl and S20R2 close, at which time alternate directing of the pins will resume. If the pin spotting mechanism Il cycles first, the switches S20R1 and S20R2 will be closed and the pins will be directed to the distributing mechanism VI, because of the energization of the relay R1 through the closed switches S20Ll and S20L2, until the switches S20L1 and S20L2 open, at which time alternate directing of the pins will resume.

It is apparent that the described portion of the circuit in FIG. 6 causes alternate feed of the bowling pins to the bins of the pin spotting mechanisms unless the bins of one mechanism are filled with 20pins. However, at various times, a pin spotting mechanism may have ten pins in its bins and ten pins spotted on its associated pin deck. Under these conditions, no pins should be fed to its storage bins unless the bins of the other pin spotting mechanism also contain 10 pins. Accordingly, the additional circuits to the right of the dashed line in FIG. 6 control the solenoid SOL so that:

a. If the storage bins of both pin spotting mechanisms contain less or more than ten pins each, the pins are directed alternately to the distributing mechanisms.

b. If the storagebins of one pin spotting mechanism contain less than 10 pins and the bins of the other contain at least ten pins,all pins will be directed to the bins of said one mechanism until the bins 0 both mechanisms contain 10 pins.

With reference to FIG. 6, it will be noted that the contacts R34, controlled by the relay R3, either connect the relay R1 for the operations described hereinbefore, or connect the relay R1 to the portion of the circuit to the right of thedashed line in FIG. 6. Thus, if thecontacts R3a are: closed, the pins will be distributed alternately until one or the other of the sets of storage bins contains 2'0'pins. The relay R3 is controlled by the lower bin switches S10Ll and S10L2 of the set of bins 13, by the lower bin switches S10R1 and S10R2 of the set of bins 14 and by the contacts R4a and R5a of the relays R4 and R5.

The relay R1 is also controlled by said switches S10L1 and S10L2 and said switches S10R1 and S10R2 so that if switch contacts S10Lla and S10L2a are closed, indicating 10 pins in the set of bins 13, and if either of the switch contacts S10Rla or S10R2a is closed, indicating less than 10 pins in the set of bins 14, the relay R1 and the solenoid SOL will be energized directing all pins to the set of bins 14 until they contain 10 pins.

If the set of bins 14 contains 10 pins, the contacts S10R1a and S10R2a will be open and the pins will be directed to the set of bins 13 until one of the events hereinafter described, so that the pins will be directed to the set of bins 13 if they contain less than 10 pins and the set of bins 14 contains ten pins.

When both sets of storage bins contain at least 10 pins, as indicated by the closing of the contacts S10L1a, S10L2a, S10R1b and S10R2b, the relay R3 will be energized closing the contacts R3a and connecting the relay R1 to the previously described circuit which causes alternate feeding of the pins.

When both sets of storage bins contain less than ten pins, as indicated by the closing of the contacts SLlb or S10L2b, or both, and the closing of the contacts S10Rlc or ,S10R2c,'or both, both of the relays R4 and R5 will be energized, closing their contacts R4a and R5a, which will energize the relay R3 and connect the relay R1 to the alternate feed portion of the circuit, thereby causing alternate feed of the pins to thetwo sets of bins until one of them contains ten pins.

lt will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention permits the use of a single elevating device for a pair of bowling alleys with the accompanying advantages and with the addition of relatively simple conveying and control apparatus to the apparatus already used in conventional systems. Further, the control apparatus of the invention provides for delivery of the bowling pins to the pin spotting mechanisms of the two alleys from the single elevating device in such a manner that no delays in the bowling games being conducted at the two alleys will be encountered under normal conditions, even though one, rather than two, elevating devices performs the elevating of the bowling pins for two bowling alleys. It will be understood that various departures from the specifically disclosed embodiment of the invention can be effected without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Bowling pin handling apparatus for receiving bowling pins from a plurality of alleys and spotting said pins on said alleys, comprising transfer means extending from a first predetermined point adjacent to a plurality of said alleys to a second predetermined point which is elevated with respect to said first point for receiving bowling pins at said first point and transferring said pins to said second point, pin feeding means extending from a plurality of said-alleys to said first point for feeding bowling pins from a plurality of said alleys to said transfer means at said first point, a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms equal in number to the number of said plurality of alleys, each pin spotting mechanism being disposed at one end of an alley for spotting pins on the latter, and distributing means extending from said second point to each of said pin spotting mechanisms for receiving pins from said transfer means at said second point as they are transferred thereto and selectively distributing them to each of said pin spotting mechanisms.

2. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said distributing means comprises a pair of bowling pin conveying means having input ends at said second point and having output ends, one of said output ends being adjacent one of said pin spotting mechanisms and the other of said output ends being adjacent another of said pin spotting mechanisms 'and means for selectively delivering bowling pins from said second point to said conveying means.

3. Bowling pin handling apparatus for receiving bowling pins from a plurality of alleys and spotting said pins on said alleys, comprising transfer means for receiving bowlingpins at a first position and transferring said pins to a second position, pin feeding means for feeding bowling pins from a plurality of said alleys to said transfer means at said first position, a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms, one for each alley, and distributing means for receiving pins from said transfer meansat said second position and selectively distributing them to each of said pin spotting mechanisms, said distributing means comprising a pair of bowling pin conveying means having input ends at said second position and having output ends, one of said output ends being adjacent one of said pin spotting mechanisms and the other of said output ends being adjacent another of said pin spotting mechanisms and selectively delivering directing means intermediate said transfer means and said input ends for selectively directing bowling pins from said transfer means to said input ends.

4. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said directing means comprises a gate engageable with said pins and movable from a first position in which said pins are directed to one of said input ends to a second position in which said pins are directed to the other of said input ends, operating means for moving said gate from one of its positions to the other thereof, and control means connected to said operating means and responsive to the presence of a bowling pin between said gate and one of said output ends for controlling said operating means.

5. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said transfer means is a bowling pin elevating device and wherein each of said pin spotting mechanisms comprises a plurality of means for separately storing a plurality of bowling pins and further comprising second and third control means respectively associated with the storing means of one of said mechanisms and with the storing means of the other of said mechanisms and responsive to the presence of pins in predetermined ones of said storing means, and means interconnecting said first-mentioned control means with said second and third control means and with said operating means for moving said gate to one of its positions dependent upon the number of pins stored in the storing means of one of said mechanisms.

6. Bowling pin handling apparatus for use with a pair of bowling pin spotting mechanisms anda single elevating device for receiving fallen bowling pins at a first position and elevating them for delivery to a second position, said handling apparatus comprising a pair of distributors for supplying said bowling pins to said spotting mechanisms from said second position, one of said distributors having an input end for receiving said pins from said second position and an output end for feeding said pins to one of said mechanisms and the other of said distributors having an inputend for receiving said pins from said second position and an output end for feeding said pins to the other of said mechanisms, and gate means intermediate the input ends of said distributors and said second position for selectively directing said pins from said second position to said input ends. i

7. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said gate means is movable from a first position in which it directs pins to one of said input ends and a second position in which it directs pins to the other of said input ends and further comprising electrically energizable means connected to said gate means for moving said gate means from one of the positions thereof to the other thereof, and control means for controlling the energization of said electrically energizable means connected thereto and including switch means disposed between said second position and the output ends of said distributors and responsive to the presence of a bowling pin therebetween for controlling the energization of said electrically energizable means.

8. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said pin spotting mechanisms comprises a plurality of storage bins for receiving pins from the output end of the distributor supplying pins thereto and storing the received pins and wherein said control means further comprises further switch means in at least one bin of each said mechanism and responsive to the presence of a bowling pin in said one bin and means interconnecting said further switch means and said first-mentioned switch means with said electrically energizable means for alternately directing said pins to said input ends when a bin of the storage bins of both mechanisms is empty and for directing all pins to the input end of one of said distributors when the storage bins of the mechanism supplied by the other distributor are full.

9. In a bowling alley installation comprising a plurality of adjacent bowling alleys, a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms, one for each alley, and bowling pin elevating devices, less in number than the number of said alleys, for returning bowling pins at an end of said alleys to the pin spotting mechanisms therefor, the combination therewith of a plurality of distributors, equal in number to the number of said alleys, for supplying said pins to said mechanisms from said elevating devices, each of said distributors having an input end for receiving pins from an elevating device and having an output end adjacent one of said mechanims for feeding said pins thereto and at least two of said distributors having their input ends adjacent one of said elevating devices for receiving bowling pins therefrom and having their output ends adjacent different ones of said mechanisms, and gate means adjacent said input ends of said two distributors for selectively directing bowling pins from said one elevating device to each of the input ends of said two distributors.

10. A bowling alley installation as set forth in claim 9, wherein said one elevating device is adjacent the ends of a pair of said alleys and further comprising means at said ends for receiving bowling pins from said pair of alleys and directing them to said one elevating device. 

1. Bowling pin handling apparatus for receiving bowling pins from a plurality of alleys and spotting said pins on said alleys, comprising transfer means eXtending from a first predetermined point adjacent to a plurality of said alleys to a second predetermined point which is elevated with respect to said first point for receiving bowling pins at said first point and transferring said pins to said second point, pin feeding means extending from a plurality of said alleys to said first point for feeding bowling pins from a plurality of said alleys to said transfer means at said first point, a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms equal in number to the number of said plurality of alleys, each pin spotting mechanism being disposed at one end of an alley for spotting pins on the latter, and distributing means extending from said second point to each of said pin spotting mechanisms for receiving pins from said transfer means at said second point as they are transferred thereto and selectively distributing them to each of said pin spotting mechanisms.
 2. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said distributing means comprises a pair of bowling pin conveying means having input ends at said second point and having output ends, one of said output ends being adjacent one of said pin spotting mechanisms and the other of said output ends being adjacent another of said pin spotting mechanisms and means for selectively delivering bowling pins from said second point to said conveying means.
 3. Bowling pin handling apparatus for receiving bowling pins from a plurality of alleys and spotting said pins on said alleys, comprising transfer means for receiving bowling pins at a first position and transferring said pins to a second position, pin feeding means for feeding bowling pins from a plurality of said alleys to said transfer means at said first position, a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms, one for each alley, and distributing means for receiving pins from said transfer means at said second position and selectively distributing them to each of said pin spotting mechanisms, said distributing means comprising a pair of bowling pin conveying means having input ends at said second position and having output ends, one of said output ends being adjacent one of said pin spotting mechanisms and the other of said output ends being adjacent another of said pin spotting mechanisms and selectively delivering directing means intermediate said transfer means and said input ends for selectively directing bowling pins from said transfer means to said input ends.
 4. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said directing means comprises a gate engageable with said pins and movable from a first position in which said pins are directed to one of said input ends to a second position in which said pins are directed to the other of said input ends, operating means for moving said gate from one of its positions to the other thereof, and control means connected to said operating means and responsive to the presence of a bowling pin between said gate and one of said output ends for controlling said operating means.
 5. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said transfer means is a bowling pin elevating device and wherein each of said pin spotting mechanisms comprises a plurality of means for separately storing a plurality of bowling pins and further comprising second and third control means respectively associated with the storing means of one of said mechanisms and with the storing means of the other of said mechanisms and responsive to the presence of pins in predetermined ones of said storing means, and means interconnecting said first-mentioned control means with said second and third control means and with said operating means for moving said gate to one of its positions dependent upon the number of pins stored in the storing means of one of said mechanisms.
 6. Bowling pin handling apparatus for use with a pair of bowling pin spotting mechanisms and a single elevating device for receiving fallen bowling pins at a first position and elevating them for delivery to a sEcond position, said handling apparatus comprising a pair of distributors for supplying said bowling pins to said spotting mechanisms from said second position, one of said distributors having an input end for receiving said pins from said second position and an output end for feeding said pins to one of said mechanisms and the other of said distributors having an input end for receiving said pins from said second position and an output end for feeding said pins to the other of said mechanisms, and gate means intermediate the input ends of said distributors and said second position for selectively directing said pins from said second position to said input ends.
 7. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said gate means is movable from a first position in which it directs pins to one of said input ends and a second position in which it directs pins to the other of said input ends and further comprising electrically energizable means connected to said gate means for moving said gate means from one of the positions thereof to the other thereof, and control means for controlling the energization of said electrically energizable means connected thereto and including switch means disposed between said second position and the output ends of said distributors and responsive to the presence of a bowling pin therebetween for controlling the energization of said electrically energizable means.
 8. Bowling pin handling apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said pin spotting mechanisms comprises a plurality of storage bins for receiving pins from the output end of the distributor supplying pins thereto and storing the received pins and wherein said control means further comprises further switch means in at least one bin of each said mechanism and responsive to the presence of a bowling pin in said one bin and means interconnecting said further switch means and said first-mentioned switch means with said electrically energizable means for alternately directing said pins to said input ends when a bin of the storage bins of both mechanisms is empty and for directing all pins to the input end of one of said distributors when the storage bins of the mechanism supplied by the other distributor are full.
 9. In a bowling alley installation comprising a plurality of adjacent bowling alleys, a plurality of pin spotting mechanisms, one for each alley, and bowling pin elevating devices, less in number than the number of said alleys, for returning bowling pins at an end of said alleys to the pin spotting mechanisms therefor, the combination therewith of a plurality of distributors, equal in number to the number of said alleys, for supplying said pins to said mechanisms from said elevating devices, each of said distributors having an input end for receiving pins from an elevating device and having an output end adjacent one of said mechanims for feeding said pins thereto and at least two of said distributors having their input ends adjacent one of said elevating devices for receiving bowling pins therefrom and having their output ends adjacent different ones of said mechanisms, and gate means adjacent said input ends of said two distributors for selectively directing bowling pins from said one elevating device to each of the input ends of said two distributors.
 10. A bowling alley installation as set forth in claim 9, wherein said one elevating device is adjacent the ends of a pair of said alleys and further comprising means at said ends for receiving bowling pins from said pair of alleys and directing them to said one elevating device. 